Debates of Feb. 10th, 2026

This is page numbers of the Hansard for the 20th Assembly, 1st Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was know.

Topics

Oral Questions
Members Present
Prayer Or Reflection
Winter Road and Ice Crossing Implementation
Minister Absesnt from the House
Arctic Economic and Security Corridor Memorandum of Understanding
Mackenzie Valley Highway Community Sessions
Compassionate Accommodation for Medical Travel
Cultural Safety in the Health Care System
Black History Month Events in Yellowknife
Opening Comments
Abandoned Vehicles Amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act
Mandate and Priorities of the Legislative Assembly
Economic Future of the Northwest Territories
Celebration of Life of Dolphus “Duffy” Cazon
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Community Engagement on Makenzie Valley Highway
Cultural Safety and Stabilizing Workforce in Healthcare System
Accelerating Resource Development in the Northwest Territories
Land Tenure and Land Transfers
Amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act Concerning Abandoned Vehicles
Long-term Benefits of Resource Development in the Tlicho Region
Diamond Mine Socioeconomic Agreements
Implementation of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Persons Concerning Healthcare
Fire Safety in Encampments
Cost of Living Subsidies for Power Rates
Air Ambulance Contracts
Taltson Hydro Expansion
Arctic Economic Security Corridor
Fire Marshall's Office and Encampments
Aspen Apartments
Tabled Document 459-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 26-20(1): Report on the Statutory Review of the Legal Aid Act Tabled Document 460-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 30-20(1): Report on the Review of the 2024-2025 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Information and Privacy Commissioner Tabled Document 461-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 32-20(1): Report on the Review of the 2024-2025 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission
Bill 40: An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act, Deemed Read
Bill 41: An Act to Amend the Real Estate Agents Licensing Act, Deemed Read
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 453-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2025-2026
Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026
Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Point Of Order
Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion carried. Tabled Document 454-20(1), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, will be reported as ready for consideration in the formal session through the form of an appropriation bill.

I want to say thank you to the Minister and thank you to the witnesses for appearing before us. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses from the chambers. Thank you.

We will take a ten-minute break to give the translators a little rest, and then we'll resume. Thank you.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

If everybody could take your seats, we'll continue. Okay, all right. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 448-20(1), 2026-2027 Main Estimates. We will now consider the Department of Environment and Climate Change. Does the Minister of Environment and Climate Change wish to bring witnesses into the House?

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Jay MacDonald

Jay MacDonald Thebacha

Yes, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Does committee agree? Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the chambers.

Thank you. Would the Minister please introduce his witnesses.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Jay MacDonald

Jay MacDonald Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my left, I have deputy minister Robert Jenkins. And to my right, I have director of finance Jessica St. Arnaud.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. The committee has agreed to forego general comments on Department of Environment and Climate Change. Does the committee agree to proceed to the details contained in the tabled documents? Committee?

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Committee, we have deferred the department summary and review the estimates by activity summary, beginning with corporate management starting on page 81, with information items on pages 83 and 84. Are there any questions?

I will go to the Member from Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Julian Morse

Julian Morse Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am going to take this as the section where I can ask some business plan questions, I think. So I will just get started on those.

I just note that a number of different regulations - the Forest Act regs, Wildlife Act regs, Waste Reduction regs, Reindeer Act regs - are all off the table on the legislative agenda. Is this due -- can the Minister help us understand why that's the case.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I will go to the Minister.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Jay MacDonald

Jay MacDonald Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, earlier this fall Cabinet went through a prioritization exercise to highlight some of the legislative initiatives that lined up more directly with the priorities of the 20th Assembly. As a result, we prioritized our outstanding initiatives in that way, and so many of these pieces, although not priority at this time, work continues in some of the areas. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I will go to the Member from Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Julian Morse

Julian Morse Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister just help us understand what legislative initiatives continue to be a priority for the department and what they're working to advance.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I will go to the Minister.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Jay MacDonald

Jay MacDonald Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will pass that to deputy minister. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. I will go to the deputy minister.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Robert Jenkins

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So the legislative initiatives that the department continues to advance is work on the Northwest Territories land regulations, the Protected Areas Act, the Thaidene Nene regulations, the Public Lands Act regulations, and the water regulations. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. I will go back to the Member from Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Julian Morse

Julian Morse Frame Lake

Okay, thank you very much; I appreciate that update. The Public Land Act regulations, that's one that I haven't heard much about from this government thus far. Can the Minister give us an update as to where those are at, what stage they're at with developing those. I haven't seen any communications go out to the public about what's going on. So I have a constituent who was raising questions about that at a constituency meeting recently and would appreciate an update.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. I will go to the Minister.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Jay MacDonald

Jay MacDonald Thebacha

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Public Lands Act was passed in the 18th Assembly to amalgamate and replace the Commissioner's Land Act and the Northwest Territories Land Act. These are two statutes that were inherited from the federal government. Currently, the regulations have been in development for four years with a technical working group under the IGC legislative development protocol. The working group is working to reach final consensus on the outstanding concerns related to jurisdictional interaction between the GNWT, public land administration, and land use permitting carried out with the land and water boards. The department is aiming to have a final draft of the technical working group in late spring of 2026. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. I will go back to the Member from Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Julian Morse

Julian Morse Frame Lake

Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. And so following a review by the technical working group, I assume that will be brought to committee, and then it will go for more of a public review?

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I will go to the Minister.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 10th

Jay MacDonald

Jay MacDonald Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, there will be an opportunity for public engagement after that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.